Mia Love is a former mayor, avid runner, mother, and has a penchant for straight talk. She also stunned the political world with her meteoric rise to success. There are sure to be comparisons to another conservative woman leader.
Love is running against Democratic incumbent Jim Matheson for Utah’s 4th district congressional seat. In response to last week’s news that for the 42nd consecutive month unemployment is above 8 percent Love said, “Jim Matheson has repeatedly touted his vote for the stimulus. Yet, here we are, three-and-a-half years later, and the unemployment rate is the same as it was when Matheson fell in line with the rest of the big-government Democrats to pass Barack Obama’s stimulus scheme. Jim Matheson and Barack Obama’s stimulus plan has done nothing but add to the mountain of federal debt that Washington’s reckless spending has left for Utah’s future generations.”
Due to Love’s charisma and the potential for Republicans to gain another seat in the House the race has caught the attention of conservatives from across the country. After hosting a fundraiser for her campaign, Rep. Paul Ryan said, “Mia has a great opportunity to extend the message of liberty and economic freedom in ways that a lot of us can’t, and we’re excited about that.”
Love was born in Brooklyn, NY to immigrant parents from Haiti. The family eventually moved to Connecticut, where Love attended the University of Hartford. While in school, she met her future husband, Jason, who was in Connecticut on a mission trip. After graduating, they married and moved to Utah.
In Utah, Love served two terms on the Saratoga Springs city council. After serving during a time of economic downturn and making tough financial decisions to keep the city running, Love was elected as mayor.
The 2010 election ushered in a fantastic group of conservatives like Marco Rubio, Rob Portman, Allen West, Raul Labrador, and Sean Duffy. With leaders like Mia Love on the horizon, 2012 is sure to bring about an even more energized freshman class to Congress.
Each week the De Pasquale's Dozen asks political figures and free market-minded writers and entertainers to take a break from politics and talk about their pop culture obsessions.
1. If there were a television channel that showed only one movie over and over, what movie should it be?
The Avengers.
2. What’s one of your favorite movie quotes?
“Chancho. When you are a man, sometimes you wear stretchy pants in your room. It's for fun.” -- Jack Black in Nacho Libre (or pretty much any other line from that movie).
3. In A Clockwork Orange, Malcolm McDowell is strapped in with his eyes propped open and forced to watch images until he was "cured." If you could give President Obama, Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Leader Harry Reid the "Clockwork Orange treatment," what movie would you make them watch?
Perhaps Ghostbusters, where New York City was saved from destruction by entrepreneurs who ran a small business, and whose efforts were stymied at every turn by a small-minded bureaucrat from the EPA.
4. What pop culture souvenir do you own that people would be surprised to learn that you cherish?
My husband is the anti-hoarder, so I can’t really hold on to anything that doesn’t serve a specific purpose.
5. What's your current “guilty pleasure” non-news television show?
“Parenthood,” “Falling Skies.”
6. What’s the best present you ever received as a child?
A dollhouse from my parents.
7. What was the first rock concert you ever attended and where did you sit and who went with you?
Pearl Jam, in the nosebleed seats, with my high school friends.
8. What advice do you remember your mother or father giving you? Did you take it?
When my father dropped me off for my first day of college, he told me, “Mia, your mother and I have never taken a handout. You will not be burden to society. You will give back.” His advice has stuck with me, and I try and live by it every day.
9. If Republicans and Democrats had theme songs for 2012 what would they be?
Democrats: “We didn’t start the fire” by Billy Joel
Republicans: “We built this city” by Starship
10. Tell me about your favorite teacher and how he or she influenced your life.
My 5th grade teacher, Mr. Masten. He always saw my potential even when I didn’t.
11. What would you like tomorrow's news headline to say?
“U.S. Retires Entire National Debt and Unemployment Drops Below 1%” Alternately, “Jim Matheson and Barack Obama Decide Not to Seek Re-election”
12. Tell me about the moment you decided to enter the political arena.
I’ve been involved in politics on a local level for nearly a decade on the city council and as mayor. I decided to throw my hat in the ring for Congress because the American Dream is under threat for my children, primarily because of the federal government’s recklessness. I am a product of the American Dream. My parents came here with nothing and made a better life for themselves and their children. With $16 trillion in debt looming over their heads and a federal government that stifles innovation and entrepreneurship, I am concerned that my kids will not have the same opportunities I have had. I feel I have a moral obligation to do what I can to get our country back on the right track.
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